career change success stories

[jetpig32]

Just curious why those (previous posts) who got out of flying because they hated the situation are still surfing this board. Perhaps some part of them wants back in????? Just an idea.

 

[JimBo480]

I left flying for another job when NWA kicked me to the curb in the spring of 2002. It took awhile but I finally landed a great job as a manufacturing engineer using a 20 year old degree in mechanical engineering.

I work at a plant that's 5 miles from home, 8:00 to 4:30 and can have any day or afternoon off with 5 minutes notice. The people I work with are superb, my boss is great and I enjoy the work. Being home every night has brought me closer to my teenage kids and if I think about it hard enough I can almost convince myself that the layoff was a blessing for our family. Almost.

The job I left was great, not as much fun as flying F-16's in the military but I thoroughly enjoyed the job (not to be confused with the company). Unfortunately the job I left is no longer there. By the time they finish gutting the contract and lowering the wages I'm not sure if the job will be worth returning to. I'm only about 25 from recall, but given the chance I wouldn't give up my current job to return now. They could easily furlough another 1000 if scope is lost in the next rush to concessions.

I read these boards every couple of weeks; I still enjoy aviation and would like the opportunity to return to flying if the industry ever settles down. But after 3 plus years I'm no longer holding my breath waiting for the job to return.

Jim, furloughed and enjoying life

 

[AZ Typed]

This is a wrong msg board to get a good opinion poll. Everyone here is either flying for a living or aspiring to fly for a living.FC

Wrong.

Those that once flew and decided to quit probably don't read messages in regional airline msg board.
FC

Wrong, again.

 

[AZ Typed]

Just curious why those (previous posts) who got out of flying because they hated the situation are still surfing this board. Perhaps some part of them wants back in????? Just an idea.

Want back in? Maybe - but what I need to go "back in" just will not happen. Once a pilot - flying is in your sould, wouldn't you agree?

That's why I browse the boards now and again. Good idea, though.

AZT

 

[Always deferred]

I left to get some other business experience. I don't want to be like a buddy of mine who is 53 yrs old, been through 3 airline shutdowns, 3 furloughs, 10 paycuts, his wife took the kids and left, and he has nothing to show for his 20+ years in the industry but a CHQ FO uniform now.

It's not worth it anymore.

Besides, the technology in the pipeline now at the major design organizations is going to make piloting even less of a skill and with that comes less pay.

 

[Always deferred]

I left to get some other business experience. I don't want to be like a buddy of mine who is 53 yrs old, been through 3 airline shutdowns, 3 furloughs, 10 paycuts, his wife took the kids and left, and he has nothing to show for his 20+ years in the industry but a CHQ FO uniform now.

It's not worth it anymore.

Besides, the technology in the pipeline now at the major design organizations is going to make piloting even less of a skill and with that comes less pay.

I do check back though because I like to keep a pulse on what's happening with my former employer.

 

[Wantfrys]

I second that. I've seen to many pilots lose 3-7 jobs in a lifetime only to begin at the bottom with pi$$ poor wage. When I got furloughed for the third time I said that's it. Since than I reconnected with my wife and am home everyday. Sure I miss the layovers,but now I can actual buy a full price beer and not feel bad stealing it from the plane.

 

[Steepturn]

I've been testing at police departments again (I did the same after 9-11). As many have said before, it's not worth what may or may not come in the long run. I'm missing out on too much now (family, friends, etc..). The minute one of those departments calls I'm out the door to a much happier life. I do not plan on leaving aviation completly though. I'll still fly odd jobs here and there on the side and also fly for fun again when I feel like it. I will miss some of the layovers though, but this time it will be better because I'll be able to take my family with me and positive space is a good thing.

 

[tjsatter]

UNbelievable!!

I can't believe I'm reading a career change thread about people wanting to leave flying to go work in business. You guys are F***Ing out of your minds to comtemplate such nonsense. I left what anyone here could term a succesful business career to fly. AT the end I was making as much as a senior captain does now at my line. I would not go back if they DOUBLED my pay, you don't know how good you got it. I love this job, wish I'd been here 20 years earlier rather than all that effort I wasted on the corporate crap. I get more time off, I work with competent people, NO politics, I come in, do my job, go home. I worked in business and flew in the back of the bus all the time wishing I was up front. I'm still in the bus but I've moved up to first class (forward facing windows) and I don't have to go to those stupid meetings anymore. A definite upgrade. Read "Dilbert" if you want to know what the life on an engineer is like. You think management treats the workers bad? They treat each other even worse. When you are on salary they think they own you. You don't get time off.

I was management, a Senior Technical Director. I hated it and will NEVER, NEVER go back to an office job. I spent all day surrounded by morons who I would never voluntarily choose to be around. In this job, the rare ass is endured for 4 days max and I don't see him again for months. And the vast majority are great guys that I consider it a privelige to work with, Heck, some of them know more about flying that I do!

I used to ride around in the Lear a lot, wishing I was up front, I'd read "Professional Pilot" magazines that the pilots had left and see an article about moving to the back. I couldn't believe it because I was reading flying magazines trying to figure out how I could get a seat up front while they were reading articles about how to get a seat in back. Is NOBODY happy with there life?! Well, I am, and I will stay a pilot as long as I can pass the med and checkrides. I'll drive a truck before I go back to a GD office.

just my $.02 worth, I return you to your regular BS.

tj

 

[Always deferred]

I can't believe I'm reading a career change thread about people wanting to leave flying to go work in business. You guys are F***Ing out of your minds to comtemplate such nonsense. I left what anyone here could term a succesful business career to fly. AT the end I was making as much as a senior captain does now at my line. I would not go back if they DOUBLED my pay, you don't know how good you got it. I love this job, wish I'd been here 20 years earlier rather than all that effort I wasted on the corporate crap. I get more time off, I work with competent people, NO politics, I come in, do my job, go home. I worked in business and flew in the back of the bus all the time wishing I was up front. I'm still in the bus but I've moved up to first class (forward facing windows) and I don't have to go to those stupid meetings anymore. A definite upgrade. Read "Dilbert" if you want to know what the life on an engineer is like. You think management treats the workers bad? They treat each other even worse. When you are on salary they think they own you. You don't get time off.

I was management, a Senior Technical Director. I hated it and will NEVER, NEVER go back to an office job. I spent all day surrounded by morons who I would never voluntarily choose to be around. In this job, the rare ass is endured for 4 days max and I don't see him again for months. And the vast majority are great guys that I consider it a privelige to work with, Heck, some of them know more about flying that I do!

I used to ride around in the Lear a lot, wishing I was up front, I'd read "Professional Pilot" magazines that the pilots had left and see an article about moving to the back. I couldn't believe it because I was reading flying magazines trying to figure out how I could get a seat up front while they were reading articles about how to get a seat in back. Is NOBODY happy with there life?! Well, I am, and I will stay a pilot as long as I can pass the med and checkrides. I'll drive a truck before I go back to a GD office.

just my $.02 worth, I return you to your regular BS.

tj

see if you still feel that way after 3 pay cuts and 2 furloughs.

 

[psysicx]

But not everybody experiences 3 pay cuts and 2 furloughs. There are lots of lawyers and businessman that quit high paying jobs to make regional wages but they are happy. This all boils down to is the grass really greener?

 

[airludy]

They pay just isnt worth it! Im sure there are some very lucky pilots out there who land great corporate gigs or have a long career at a major airline. Its seems like a small percentage though. Most pilots I know live a pretty unstable life and work at crappy jobs. Im at the point where I will work an 8-5 office job if it pays good and has some stablity. It sucks to be broke. You need money!

 

[BoeingBaller]

Started a paving business, went from flying for 35k a year.(5 Days a month at home wow!!) To 35k a month(home every night).Aviation you can have it!!!!!!!!!!

 

[finnjl]

I've been testing at police departments again (I did the same after 9-11). As many have said before, it's not worth what may or may not come in the long run. I'm missing out on too much now (family, friends, etc..). The minute one of those departments calls I'm out the door to a much happier life. I do not plan on leaving aviation completly though. I'll still fly odd jobs here and there on the side and also fly for fun again when I feel like it. I will miss some of the layovers though, but this time it will be better because I'll be able to take my family with me and positive space is a good thing.

I did that as I thought the Police department would be so much better. I would see my family more, etc.,etc,.etc. Pay at the police department was not bad as the typical department pays 40-47,000 per year to start. Well that may seem good but most of the departments max at around 55,000 and that is after 5 years. So you will make a base pay of 55,000 the rest of your life. Then to make more money every cop I knew worked overtime to make ends meet. So all that time to spend with your family is gone right there working overtime. Then for the first five to seven years of your career your going to work deep nights. You may be home but you will be sleeping.

Anyway I could go on and on about how pilots always bitch about how bad thier jobs are. I know because I used to bitch too, until I quit my flying job and became a cop to only realize how good I had it. Oh by the way I was going to fly on the side and all that stuff too. That does not happen as you are always tired from working.

Like I said before the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.

And most people do not make 35,000 per month as people do on this board. I need to hang out with the people on this board as everyone here that does not fly airplanes makes at least 100,000 per year. Yeah right.

 

[AZ Typed]

It all boils down to what's important to you. If you want something bad enough - you'll figure out a way to get it. I wanted more time at home, less travel, less surrounding of negativity (good luck in the cockpit), more money, more freedom, more positive people time, better health, more time off, no limits...no airline job can provide all of those things. In the real world...I have to chase them - but it's well worth it. Different strokes for different folks. It's in the choices we make. Just don't be like the typical moron American who talks a good game, then pi$$es when gass is at $3.00 a gal. Like someone else said - airlines...you can have it!

AZT

 

[DX Rick]

When the airline I worked for was shut down, I filed unemployment and took a pay raise.

 

[AZ Typed]

When the airline I worked for was shut down, I filed unemployment and took a pay raise.

Nice. You're proud of that? Thanks for sucking working America dry - moron. And I'll be your the same one letting $3.00 gas run your life now, too. Pro.

AZT

 

[DX Rick]

Nice. You're proud of that? Thanks for sucking working America dry - moron. And I'll be your the same one letting $3.00 gas run your life now, too. Pro.

AZT

Extremely. I was so glad to have sent out over 75 resumes, never to get an interview. It felt even better when I couldnt get a job delivering pizzas, or the open Sandwich maker spot at Blimpies in the gas station down the road.

I have my old boss trying to pull strings for me, so I can have my old job back of laying asphalt for the forest preserve. But I have to wait until the college help is gone for the summer.

Maybe if SWA wasn't on a spree to conquer the flying world, I might have a job still.

 

[dhc8be20]

I left PDT and went back to laboratory medicine. The change has been good for me, as my salary markedly increased. Sure, I miss the guys, and the flying. But I wouldn't trade my stability or QOL for anything. In fact, my husband and I are building a 4000 sq ft house which would have never been possible had I stayed at PDT.

 

[Peleton]

Nice. You're proud of that? Thanks for sucking working America dry - moron. And I'll be your the same one letting $3.00 gas run your life now, too. Pro.

AZT

How exactly is he sucking America dry?? You and I do not pay for the unemployment insurance, the buisness does.

Umemployment insurance is paid for by the company you work for. It is funded by taxes that are levied against all buisness and go into individual state coffers. The amount of taxes is very low and would not affect the bottom line of most companies, nor would it effect the price of goods sold. Take a look at the marginal tax rates on most companies in the United States, it is VERY low compared to the rest of the free world. Corporations do not pay high taxes, as the are always working the rules to cut their effective tax rates. So do not feel sorry for them for having to pay UI taxes.

It is a benefit that is offfered by the states to people who are without a job and presently working for employment elsewhere. If he wants to take it and run with it so be it, but DO NOT critize the benefits of others until you are in there shoes. If you are in avaition you WILL be in his/her shoes at one point in time in your life, I would be wiliing to bet my life on that simple fact.

Good luck with your future!